Specialist, Strategic Sourcing

Job Description - Procurement Specialist

We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Procurement Specialist to join our fiber cable manufacturing team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring critical materials and services essential for our production processes, with a strong emphasis on cost reduction, contract manufacturing, and supply chain efficiency. This role demands expertise in sourcing a diverse range of components.

• Strategic Sourcing & Cost Reduction:
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies to achieve significant cost savings and total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements across assigned categories (polymers, molded plastics, mechanical components).
• Conduct thorough market research and analysis to identify potential new suppliers, predict cost trends, and assess supply chain risks.
• Lead renegotiations of existing vendor contracts and terms to ensure the best value and favorable pricing for the company.
• Implement e-sourcing tools and data analysis techniques to optimize procurement processes and identify ongoing cost-saving opportunities.
• Market Analysis: Analyze industry and market trends for fiber optic components and raw materials to inform sourcing strategies and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation for all transactions, audits, and performance reporting purposes.
• Supplier & Contract Management:
• Supplier Management & Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, select & Onboard suppliers for Polymers, molded plastic components, mechanical parts including Sheet Metal & Machined components, Raw fiber, protective jacketing materials, strength members & ensuring they meet quality, cost, and delivery benchmarks.
• Negotiation & Contract Management: Manage the entire contract lifecycle, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and ensuring compliance with all contractual terms and legal requirements in collaboration with the legal department.
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers and contract manufacturers to ensure continuous improvement and reliable supply.
• Monitor and track supplier performance using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to quality, delivery, and cost, addressing any discrepancies proactively.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, finance, and legal departments to align procurement activities with overall business objectives and production schedules.
• Operational Procurement:
• Collaborate closely with internal cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Production, to understand material needs and ensure alignment of procurement activities with manufacturing schedules.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Experience:
• Proven experience as a Procurement Specialist or similar role within a manufacturing environment, preferably in the fiber optics or related industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in procuring specific commodity types: polymers, molded plastic components, and mechanical components including Sheet Metal & Machined components, Raw fiber, protective jacketing materials, strength members & ensuring they meet quality, cost, and delivery benchmarks
• Experience in managing contract manufacturing (CM) relationships and agreements.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing cost reduction measures and achieving measurable savings.
• Skills:
• Exceptional negotiation communication, and interpersonal skills to build strong vendor relationships.
• Proficiency in procurement software, ERP systems (e.g., SAP preferred), and Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel skills preferred).
• Expertise in Power BI: Proficiency in using Microsoft Power BI for data visualization, spend analysis, and creating interactive dashboards to track KPIs and cost-saving initiatives would be a significant advantage. This skill will be highly valued for driving data-informed decisions within the procurement function.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills for data analysis, cost modeling, and forecasting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Education:
• BE B.TECH - Mech/ Electrical/ Electronics/Instrumentation with Minimum of 10 years of experience in procurement, preferably in Telecom Industry.